Machine for loading cartridge belts and the like



MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE BELTS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 23, 1918 3 Sheets-Shet 1 INVENTOR TTORNEYv May 22, 1923. 1 1,456,154 J. H. SHAW MACHINE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE BELTS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 23 -19l8 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I May 22, 1923. 1,456,154

J. H. SHAW MACHI NE FOR LOADING CARTRIDGE BELTSAND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 23 1918 3 Shets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 9f. 8km

ATTORNEY Patented May 22, 1923.

JOHN H. SHAW, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR T SARGENT 80 COMPANY,

OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

MACHINE FOE LOADING CARTRIDGE BELTS AND THE LIKE.

Application filed November 23, 1918. Serial No. 263,900.

To all w from it may concern:

Be it known that 1. JOHN H. SHAW, a citizen of the United States, residing in the cityand county of New Haven, State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Machine for Load ing Cartridge Belts and the like, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a machine for loading cartridges into a belt, and more particularly 'to a machine for loading cartridges into a metal belt composed of a plurality of separate cartridge'receiving links, the links being constructed to be connected together by the cartridges inserted therein.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a small portable machine for loading cartridges and the like into belts, which machine consists of but few parts that may be quickly assembled for operation upon the battle-field, or other places, where it may be necessary to load cartridges into a belt.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cartridge belt loading machine, which is simple and compact in structure, in order that it may be easily transported from one place to another, and which is inexpensive to manufacture.

To these and other ends the invention consists of the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my loading machine shown mounted upon a board or the like.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of my device.

Fig. 4 is a front end view of my device.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of my loading machine, showing the position of the parts after forcing a plurality of cartridges into the cartridge receiving links of the belt.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of part of the loading machine shown in Fig. 5, showing the cartridges forced through the cartridge receivingv links, as in a Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view through the parts shown in Fig. 6, showing, the position of the sliding bar and cartridges before the cartridges are forced-through the cartridge receiving links.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on'the line 8.-8 of F fig. 6, and Fig. 9 is a side'view, of an operating handle shown removed from the belt loading machine.

Several types of the more modern ma chine guns are constructed to receive cartridges from a metal belt formed of separate cartridge receiving links, each link having somewhat of a double loop or figure 8 construction in cross-section. One of these loops is designed to receive one cartridge and the other loop to receive a second cartridge whereby a cartridge belt is formed in which the links composing the same are connected together by the cartridges mounted therein. The important advantage of this form of cartridge belt is that when a loaded beltis passed through a machine gun, the belt disintegrates by the falling away of the links as the cartridges are removed from the same, so that there is no objectionable empty belt dangling from the discharge side of the machine gun.

In the drawings I have illustrated a machine for loading cartridges into the type of link belt, above briefly described. This machine comp-rises a relatively flat base member or tray designated in its entirety by the numeral 10, the same being-somewhatrectangular in construction, as shown in Fig. 2. At the forward end of this tray is formed a lug 11 and at the rear end of the tray is formed a projection such as 12, the

projections 11 and 12 preferablyhave screw holes formed therethrough by means of which the tray 10' may be secured toa table or board such as 13. In the upper face of the tray 10 is preferably formed a plurality of longitudinal groovessuch as 14, which are constructed to receive the cartridges 15, which are to be loaded in the cartridge belt. The forward end portion of the grooves l i are preferably! increased in width somewhat as at 14' or in other words, the rib between two adjacent grooves 14 is reduced somewhat in order to form a satisfactory seat for the belt links 16, it being apparent that since each link 16 is provided with two cartridge I receiving openings, one of ,which lies in one of the grooves 14:, and the other in the adj acent groove, the rib at this point should be of less width than the rib which separates that :portion-ofthe' grooves 14 in which the cartridges -15 lie. "In order to prevent the links 16 from being displaced laterally when the cartridges are forced into the same,

upwardly projectinglugs or abutments such as 17 are preferably formed upon the tray 1Q, adjacent the forward end thereof. As shown in the drawings, these lugs are spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit the forward end of the cartridges to lie therebetween, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, but.pre-' ventthe links 16, in which the cartridgesare inserted from being displaced laterally while the cart-ridge is forced intothe same. It will be understood that the construction of the links 16 is such :thatthe cartridges fit snugly into the same, sothat they will not be accidentallyremoved from thellink after G'ontween the loops 18 .of the adjacent link, so

that when a cartridge is inserted, it passes through ,both the loops 18 and 19, and there by secures two adjacent links together. In this manner the cartridge belt is composed of a plurality of independent links secured together ,by the cartridges. In forming the link 16, a portionsuch as 20 is formed to connectthe loop aortions 18 and 19 together. Th s portien 20 ;is so positioned that when the cartridges are forced into the Links, the

' portionj20 ab ts against one of the lugs. 17

and in this .manner retains the link in place while the cartridge ,is (being foreed into ,the

The means whichI havev provided for Qsl'id ingthecartridgesalong the grooves 141 and into the cartridge receiving openings formed the links16,.co1 isists of a sliding bar 21. 'This bar preferably has a down.- wardly' directedfiange fQlimed at each end thereof, suc'h as 22, these flanges being posi tienecjlaofco ntact. with the opposite edges of the tray 1 a1 ic;l thereby retai nthe bar 21 in plan aai is'rnoved back and forth area e therefrom.

the rack and removed therefrom.

upper face of the tray. If desired, additional means may be provided for retaining the sliding bar in engagement with the tray,

consisting of inwardly directed lugs 23, positioned 'to engage longitudinal slots formed in the under face of the tray 10 as shown in Fig. 2 In order to permit the bar 21 to be positioned upon the tray with the lugs 23 engaging the lower face of the same, notches 24 are cut in the opposite edges of thetray 10 to clear the lugs 23. The under face of the tray 10 is preferably provided with a plurality of lugs 23" in order that the tray will seat firmly upon the board or table 13 and also to provide a clearance space between the tray andthe board for the sliding lugs 23. By this construction, it will be seen that the slide bar 21 may be moved back and forth over the face of the tray without becoming disengaged from the same. The means which :I have dlsclosed 1n the drawings for sliding the member 21 back and forthover the face of the tray 10 consists of a toothed rack 25, formed integral with the slide 21 and projecting rearwardly A handle member 26 is provided to cooperate with this rack, the same being pivotally mounted between a pair of upwardly projecting lugs 27 formed .integral with the rearwardly projecting portion ;12 of the tray 10. The handle 26 is provided with a plurality of teeth 28, formed in an arc of a circle, to cooperate with the teeth of the rack 25. The means for pivotally mounting the handle 26 be tween the upwardly projecting lugs 27 con-' sists preferably of trunnions 29 projecting from the opposite sides of the handle and positioned to .rest in bearing-sockets formed in the lugs 27, the sockets being produced by cutting notches in the upper face .of

these lugs, as shown at- 30. By this arrangement it will be seen that the handle may be readily rotatably mounted between the .lugs 27 in operative engagement with In order to limit the extent to which the slide 21 may be moved towards the abutment or lugs 17 by its operating handle, I provide a downward projection 31 upon the rear end of the rack 25, positioned .to abut against the rear edge of the extension 12 and thereby prevent further movement of the slide 21. i V

The operation of my device is as follows:

When it is desired to load cartridges into a link belt of the type herein zbriefiy described, a number of links are laid upon the tray 10, in their assembled position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6z that is with loop portion 19 of one link extending between the spaced loop portions 18 of the adjacent link. The cartridges to be inserted in these links are then .laid in the grooves .14; of the tray to one side of the the links just mentioned, whereupon the car ridges may be forced through the links as shown in Figs. and 6 of the drawing by simply pressing down on the handle 26 to cause the sliding bar 21 to engage the rear end of the cartridges and force the same into the links 16, the extent to which the cartridges are inserted in these links by the sliding bar 21 being limited by the stop 31 above mentioned. IVhen a section of a cartridge belt of the type herein described has been formed by inserting cartridges into the link 16, this section may be moved to one side of the tray shown in the drawings and positioned so that the loop 18 or 19, which has not had a cartridge inserted therein, will lie in the slot 14L adjacent one side of the tray 10, whereupon the remaining slots of my tray may have placed therein a plurality of assembled links in position to have additional cartridges inserted therethrough. In this manner, the newly produced section of the cartridge belt may be connected up by a cartridge to that section which has been previously produced. It will, therefore, be seen that my machine for loading cartridges into a link cartridge belt,

will be produced by merely operating the handle to force a number of cartridges simultaneously into the links 16.

Although I have described my loading machine as designed particularly to load cartridges into a cartridge belt produced of independent metal links, it will be apparent that the device herein disclosed may be used to load cartridges into other types of belts,

and that my invention j is not limited to loading cartridges into the type of belt herein disclosed, and it will be apparent that the broad inventive idea disclosed in this application may be embodied in various mechancal means, for accomplishing the functions set forth, other than those used in the particular device shown in this application.

lVhat I claim is:

1. A device for loading cartridges into a link belt, comprising'a base member for supporting a plurality of links in their assembled position, abutments upon said member for preventing lateral displacement of said links, and a sliding bar for forcing cartridges into said links.

2. A device for loading cartridges into a link belt. comprising a grooved tray for supporting a plurality of links in their assembled position, said tray being provided with abutments for preventing lateral displacement of said links, said grooves serving to align cartridges with said links,

and a sliding member for forcing said cartridges into saidlinks.

3. A device for loading cartridges into a link belt, comprising a tray having a plurality of grooves formed therein for supporting cartridges in alignment with the links of a belt, abutments upon said tray for preventing lateral displacement of said links, and means for forcing said cartridges into said links.

4. A portable tray for loading cartridges into a link belt, said tray having grooves therein for supporting cartridges in alignment with a plurality of assembled links, means upon said tray for preventing lateral displacement of said links, and a sliding member for sliding said cartridges along said grooves into said links.

5. In a device for loading cartridges intoa link belt, a tray having grooves formed therein for supporting cartridges in alignment with a plurality of assembled links, abutments for preventing lateral displacement of said links, a sliding bar for forcing said cartridges into said links, and manually operable means comprising a toothed rack and lever for operating said bar.

6. A tray for loading cartridges into a link belt, said. tray having grooves formed therein to support a plurality of cartridges and cartridge receiving links in alignment with each other, abutments upon said tray for preventing lateral displacement of said links, and a sliding member upon said tray for forcing cartridges into said links.

7. In a device for loading cartridges or the like into a belt. a tray for supporting a portion of said belt having grooves formed therein for supporting a plurality of cartridges in alignment with the cartridge receiving openings in said belt, abutments upon said tray for preventing lateral displacement of said belt, and a sliding member upon said tray for forcing said cartridges into said belt.

.8. In a. device for loading cartridges or the like into a belt, a base member for supporting a portion of said belt, said member having means for supporting a plurality of cartridgesin alignment with the cartridge receiving openings formed in said belt, and a sliding member for forcing the cartridges into said belt.

9. In a device for loading cartridges into a'link belt, a small portable trav having a plurality of grooves formed therein for supporting a plurality of cartridge receiving links in their assembled position, said grooves serving also to guide cartridges into said links, abutments uponsaid tray for reventing lateral displacement of said links, a bar slidahly mounted upon said tray for forcing said cartridges into said links,

and manually operable means for operating.

said bar.

10. A cartridge-linking machine, comprising a plate grooved to space apart a plurality of cartridges and links, an abutment for said links and means for forcing the cartridges into said links.

11. A cartridge-llnking machine, comprlsing a plate grooved to space apart in assembling relation to each other a plurality of cartridges and links, an abutment for the links and means consisting ofaslidable bar and a connected lever for manually forcing the cartridges into the links.

links inoverlapping relation and a plurality of cartridges, and means to limit movement of the links.

14. In a device of the character described, means for supporting a pair of links in position to be coupled by a cartridge, means for effecting the insertion of the cartridge in,

the coupling connection in said links, and means 'for limiting the movement of said second named means.

15. A loading device comprising a bed, means thereon to position a plurality of links in overlapping relation and a plurality of cartridges, and means to thrustthe cartridges into the links. I

16. A loading device comprising a bed, means thereon to position a plurality of links in overlapping relation and a plurality of cartridges, an abutment for the links, and means to thrust the cartridges into the links.

17 In a device of the character described, means for supporting a pair of links in position to be coupled by a cartridge, and means for effecting the insertion of the cartridge into coupling connection with said links.

18. A machine for loading cartridges into a disintegrating belt comprising a bed,

means thereon to position the links of the belt and the cartridges, means to thrust the cartridges into the links, and means'to vary the scope of movement of said thrusting means.

19. Ina loading machine, holding means for the receptacles for the articles to be loaded, means to position-said articles, a pusher to force the articles into the receptacles, and means having a variable connection therewith to operate said pusher means.

.2 11. e e i g m n fo P0- sitionin a series of separate links and a series OI cartridges, means for producing relative movement between the members of one series and the members of the other series to couple the links together by the cartridges.

21. A loading machine comprising a bed, means thereon to position a plurality of cartridges and links in assembling relation, an abutment for the links, a pusher to move the cartridges into thelinks, and a pusher operating means mounted upon the bed and operatively connected to the pusher.

22. A loading machine comprising a bed, means thereon to position a series of cartridges and a series of links in assembling relation, means to limit the movement of one series, and means to move the members of the other series relatively to the members of the first series to effect a coupling connection of the cartridges and links.

23. In a loading machine, a bed, means thereon to position a plurality of links and cartridges slotted brackets upon the bed, a reciprocating pusher bar, and means mounted in the slots in said brackets to operate said bar.

24:, In a device of the character described, means for supporting a pair of separate links and a cartridge in assembling relation, a pusher for moving the cartridge into the links, and means for operating said pusher. 25. In a loading machine, a bed, means thereon to position a plurality of separate links and cartridges in assembling relation, and a guided pusher bar to push the cartridges into the links.

26. A loading machine comprising a bed, means thereon to position a plurality of links in overlapping relation and a plurality of cartridges, a pusher bar, a toothed rack connected to said bar, means engaging the teeth of the rack to operate the bar, and. means for limiting the movement of the pusher.

27. A loading device comprising a bed having grooves to position a plurality of cartridges, means for supporting a plurality of links in alignment with the cartridges, an

abutment for the links, a slide for thrusting the cartridges into the links having a rearwardly directed bar secured thereto, and operating means mounted upon the bed and engaging said bar.

28. A loading device comprising a bed having grooves to position a plurality of cartridges, means for supporting a plurality of links in alignment with the cartridges, an abutment for the links, a slide for thrusting the cartridges into the links having a rearwardly directed bar secured thereto, a pair of brackets mounted upon the bed between which the bar is mounted, and operating means for the pusher mounted on said brackets,

29. A loading device comprising a bed having grooves to position a plurality of cartridges, means for supporting a plurality of links in alignment with the cartridges, an abutment for the links, a slide for thrusting the cartridges into the links having a rearwardly directed bar secured thereto, a pair of brackets mounted upon the bed between which the bar is mounted, operating means for the pusher mounted on said brackets, and a stop upon said bar to limit the movement of the thrusting means.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand on the 20th day of November, 1918.

JOHN H. SHAW. 

